Illinois senators consider raising speed limits on state highways to 70.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Drivers may soon be able to zip around the Wabash Valley a little faster but some worry it will come with an added cost of human life.

Illinois senators will be considering a proposal that would raise the speed limits on state highways to 70 miles an hour. The current limit is 65.

News 10's Dan Klein hit the road to find out what drivers and state troopers think about the idea.

When Jameala Flemister was asked about driving from Indiana to Illinois, she said, “Annoying, very annoying. I’d like to stay at 70 if I could, that way I’d get there a little quicker. I’d prefer a higher speed limit.”

33 of the 50 states have speed limits that are 70 or higher and some drivers say, Illinois might as well be one.

Just two months have passed since two big changes took effect on Illinois highways.

As of January, truck drivers can now drive 65 and all drivers are banned from texting while driving.

State trooper Tammy Welborn says those two ideas have made roads safer.

"Anyone person that we can keep from being distracted is going to prevent crashes,” said Welborn. “Those that never happen we won't know about, of course, but I think it's helping every day.

But Welborn isn't sure about the latest proposal, and AAA is against it.

AAA cites a study that found a three percent increase in road fatalities after the national speed limit was repealed in 1995.

The proposal has passed out of an Illinois senate committee and is onto the full senate for consideration.